The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-08
And Certain Conflicting Claims-The
Expiring Leases on the Gov.
ernment Reservation.
IcoRRrsPoSDuScs OF rHr ArPnAL.l

ton would have us suppose that
these springs are the Fountain of
Youth" for which Ponce de Leon
searchedin vain through Florida and
the South. French traders and
trapper came here almost every year
after the early settlement of Louis
lana, but it was not until 1907 thai
the first cabins were built by Maguel
Proudume, John Percival and Isaac
Gates, whose names have since been
closely identified with the claims
and titles Of Hot Springs. In 1914
there we're twenty-five log cabins in
the valley, and in 1925 a double log
cabin was considered the swell"
hotel.
Since that time the visitors and
settlers had increased so rapidly that
by the time Congress appointed COM
missioners to settle the rights of pos
session and purchase between the
different individual citizens who had
settled upon the Hot Springs Res
servation there were about 1000
claimants.
Since this question of title has
been finally disposed of new order
of things has obtained, and the pres
ent strangely beautiful city of Hot
Springs, as if by enchantment, has
sprung into existence, with a per-
mauent population of 1000 people,
and its principal street, Central ave-
nue., stretching along the valley, two
miles in length, and adorned
on either side with palatial hotels,
bath houses and business blocks re-
plete with all the modern conven-
fences and appointments. The city
nesting between two beautiful pine
clad mountains presents a quaint
picture of beauty that is simply in
describable, and must be seen to be
appreciated to the full"
The United States Army and Navy
Hospital is a magnificent three story
brick structure, erected on a COM
manding site 100 feet above the val
ley, with the Hot Springs Mountain
as back ground.
The Convent and Academy OF Our
Lady Of the Springs, in charge Of Sis
ters of Mary are spacious buildings of
brick, with bright and attractive
surroundings, There are at present
enrolled 1876 pupils and boarders.
The opera house is a three story
brick, ornate in design, and with in
terror appointments stylish.
The two leading bank buildings
would be an ornament to any city.
There are two newspapers, and near
ly all the Christian denominations
are represented and have comforta-
BILE houses of worship, including two
churches for co!ored people. The
moral tene of the place has been ele-
waited very materially since the en-
forcement of the prohibition law
within its precincts. The
better element now rule,
and ladies need have no
delicacy in visiting these springs.
Central avenue presents a busting,
business like air, visitors and citizens
shopping; going to and from bath
ing, enjoying constitutional walks,
while the more favored indulge in
drives and horseback rides to Hell's
Half Acre, three miles; White Sui
phur Springs, four miles, and the
celebrated Potash Sulphur Springs,
seven miles distant, where many go
by advice of physicians for a weeks
respite after course of three weeks
bathing, in order to drink the waters,
which trims up, gives flesh and puts
them in better trim to endure the
next course. Centipe1es and
tarantulas are daily caught by
a man who ekes out a livelihood
by fighting them on the streets. He
attracts a crowd by showing up the
insects in seperate bottles, collects a
few dimes, the crowd forms a ring
and he lets the pugilists out in the
center; they soon clinch, and the
centipede knocks his antagonist out
in the first round everytime. They
are said to be deadly enemies.
The attraction at Central Park is
a wrestling match between Black
Dan, negro, and bear, who daily
display their skill aud physical
strength in the manly art of self de-
tense.
At Happy Hollow Springs, one
quarter mile distant, they practice
at targets with pistol and rifle.
The hunting season is good from
September till April, and thirty
miles from these springs is where the
bear, dear and wild turkeys mostly
do cOngregate.
Before bathing visitors consult
physician, who, after an examina-
ton, hands them a card showing the
kind of bath, the temperature re-
quired, and the length OF time to re-
main; also, specifies the bathing
hour. This card is presented to an
attendant, who battles the patient
and cares for his towels, clothes,
etc.
There appears to be great dissatis-
faction and complaint upon the part
of visitors and citizens here,
growing out of the present
plans and methods of the United
States Government leasing to
individuals, for a long term Of years,
some eight or ten lighthouses, with
valuable privileges of the hot water,
at a nominal rental Of about $500
annually. The government should
take possession Of the reservation
and all the buildings on it, pay the
owners their full value, then COM
mence the construction of one grand
bathhouse along the entire reserva-
ton front, built upon the most ap.
proved and scientific principles, and
when finished devote the revenue,
which, under proper management,
would not fall short of $4,000 an
nually, to identifying and adjoining
the reservation, thus making this
the garden spot Of America-the most
popular sanitarium Of the world.
The present leases will soon ex-
pire, and the government will be
called upon to take some definite ac-
ton, which must for all time to come